Luke 1 – read and compare multiple versions of the Bible

World English Bible

Luke 1 (WEBP)

[1] Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,
[2] even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,
[3] it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;
[4] that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
[5] There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
[6] They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
[7] But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
[8] Now while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division
[9] according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
[10] The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
[11] An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
[12] Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
[13] But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
[14] You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
[15] For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
[16] He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
[17] He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.”
[18] Zacharias said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
[19] The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
[20] Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
[21] The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple.
[22] When he came out, he could not speak to them. They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.
[23] When the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house.
[24] After these days Elizabeth his wife conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying,
[25] “Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men.”
[26] Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
[27] to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary.
[28] Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”
[29] But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.
[30] The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
[31] Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name him ‘Jesus.’
[32] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
[33] and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.”
[34] Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?”
[35] The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.
[36] Behold, Elizabeth your relative also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
[37] For nothing spoken by God is impossible.”
[38] Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
[39] Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,
[40] and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
[41] When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
[42] She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
[43] Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
[44] For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!
[45] Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!”
[46] Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord.
[47] My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
[48] for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
[49] For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name.
[50] His mercy is for generations and generations on those who fear him.
[51] He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
[52] He has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly.
[53] He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.
[54] He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
[55] as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.”
[56] Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
[57] Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son.
[58] Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.
[59] On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
[60] His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called John.”
[61] They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”
[62] They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.
[63] He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” They all marveled.
[64] His mouth was opened immediately and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.
[65] Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.
[66] All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him.
[67] His father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
[68] “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people;
[69] and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
[70] (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old),
[71] salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;
[72] to show mercy toward our fathers, to remember his holy covenant,
[73] the oath which he swore to Abraham our father,
[74] to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear,
[75] in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.
[76] And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
[77] to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,
[78] because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the dawn from on high will visit us,
[79] to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
[80] The child was growing and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Luke 1:17 Malachi 4:6
Luke 1:20 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
Luke 1:37 or, “For everything spoken by God is possible.”
Luke 1:55 or, seed

Scripture quotations are taken from The World English Bible™ of eBible.org, 2020 stable text edition. It is in the public domain.

King James w/Strong’s #s

Luke 1 (KJVS)

[1] Forasmuch as many have taken in hand () to set forth in order () a declaration of those things which are most surely believed () among us ,
[2] Even as they delivered () them unto us , which from the beginning were () eyewitnesses , and ministers of the word ;
[3] It seemed () good to me also , having had perfect understanding () of all things from the very first , to write () unto thee in order , most excellent Theophilus ,
[4] That thou mightest know () the certainty of those things , wherein thou hast been instructed ().
[5] There was () in the days of Herod , the king of Judaea , a certain priest named Zacharias , of the course of Abia : and his wife [was] of the daughters of Aaron , and her name [was] Elisabeth .
[6] And they were () both righteous before God , walking () in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless .
[7] And they had () no child , because that Elisabeth was () barren , and they both were () [now] well stricken () in years .
[8] And it came to pass (), that while he executed the priest’s office () before God in the order of his course ,
[9] According to the custom of the priest’s office , his lot () was to burn incense () when he went () into the temple of the Lord .
[10] And the whole multitude of the people were () praying () without at the time of incense .
[11] And there appeared () unto him an angel of the Lord standing () on the right side of the altar of incense .
[12] And when Zacharias saw () [him], he was troubled (), and fear fell () upon him .
[13] But the angel said () unto him , Fear () not , Zacharias : for thy prayer is heard (); and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear () thee a son , and thou shalt call () his name John .
[14] And thou shalt have () joy and gladness ; and many shall rejoice () at his birth .
[15] For he shall be () great in the sight of the Lord , and shall drink () neither wine nor strong drink ; and he shall be filled () with the Holy Ghost , even from his mother’s womb .
[16] And many of the children of Israel shall he turn () to the Lord their God .
[17] And he shall go () before him in the spirit and power of Elias , to turn () the hearts of the fathers to the children , and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just ; to make ready () a people prepared () for the Lord .
[18] And Zacharias said () unto the angel , Whereby shall I know () this ? for I am () an old man , and my wife well stricken () in years .
[19] And the angel answering () said () unto him , I am () Gabriel , that stand () in the presence of God ; and am sent () to speak () unto thee , and to shew thee these glad tidings ().
[20] And , behold (), thou () shalt be dumb (), and not able () to speak (), until the day that these things shall be performed (), because thou believest () not my words , which shall be fulfilled () in their season .
[21] And the people waited () () for Zacharias , and marvelled () that he tarried so long () in the temple .
[22] And when he came out (), he could () not speak () unto them : and they perceived () that he had seen () a vision in the temple : for he beckoned () () unto them , and remained () speechless .
[23] And it came to pass (), that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished (), he departed () to his own house .
[24] And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived (), and hid () herself five months , saying (),
[25] Thus hath the Lord dealt () with me in the days wherein he looked on () [me], to take away () my reproach among men .
[26] And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent () from God unto a city of Galilee , named Nazareth ,
[27] To a virgin espoused () to a man whose name was Joseph , of the house of David ; and the virgin’s name [was] Mary .
[28] And the angel came in () unto her , and said (), Hail (), [thou that art] highly favoured (), the Lord [is] with thee : blessed () [art] thou among women .
[29] And when she saw () [him], she was troubled () at his saying , and cast in her mind () what manner of salutation this should be ().
[30] And the angel said () unto her , Fear () not , Mary : for thou hast found () favour with God .
[31] And , behold (), thou shalt conceive () in thy womb , and bring forth () a son , and shalt call () his name JESUS .
[32] He shall be () great , and shall be called () the Son of the Highest : and the Lord God shall give () unto him the throne of his father David :
[33] And he shall reign () over the house of Jacob for ever ; and of his kingdom there shall be () no end .
[34] Then said () Mary unto the angel , How shall this be (), seeing I know () not a man ?
[35] And the angel answered () and said () unto her , The Holy Ghost shall come () upon thee , and the power of the Highest shall overshadow () thee : therefore also that holy thing which shall be born () of thee shall be called () the Son of God .
[36] And , behold (), thy cousin Elisabeth , she hath also conceived () a son in her old age : and this is () the sixth month with her , who was called () barren .
[37] For with God nothing shall be impossible ().
[38] And Mary said (), Behold () the handmaid of the Lord ; be it () unto me according to thy word . And the angel departed () from her .
[39] And Mary arose () in those days , and went () into the hill country with haste , into a city of Juda ;
[40] And entered () into the house of Zacharias , and saluted () Elisabeth .
[41] And it came to pass (), that, when Elisabeth heard () the salutation of Mary , the babe leaped () in her womb ; and Elisabeth was filled () with the Holy Ghost :
[42] And she spake out () with a loud voice , and said (), Blessed () [art] thou among women , and blessed () [is] the fruit of thy womb .
[43] And whence [is] this to me , that the mother of my Lord should come () to me ?
[44] For , lo (), as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded () in mine ears , the babe leaped () in my womb for joy .
[45] And blessed [is] she that believed (): for there shall be () a performance of those things which were told () her from the Lord .
[46] And Mary said (), My soul doth magnify () the Lord ,
[47] And my spirit hath rejoiced () in God my Saviour .
[48] For he hath regarded () the low estate of his handmaiden : for , behold (), from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed ().
[49] For he that is mighty hath done () to me great things ; and holy [is] his name .
[50] And his mercy [is] on them that fear () him from generation to generation .
[51] He hath shewed () strength with his arm ; he hath scattered () the proud in the imagination of their hearts .
[52] He hath put down () the mighty from [their] seats , and exalted () them of low degree .
[53] He hath filled () the hungry () with good things ; and the rich () he hath sent empty away ().
[54] He hath holpen () his servant Israel , in remembrance () of [his] mercy ;
[55] As he spake () to our fathers , to Abraham , and to his seed for ever .
[56] And Mary abode () with her about three months , and returned () to her own house .
[57] Now Elisabeth’s full time came () that she should be delivered (); and she brought forth () a son .
[58] And her neighbours and her cousins heard () how the Lord had shewed great () mercy upon her ; and they rejoiced () with her .
[59] And it came to pass (), that on the eighth day they came () to circumcise () the child ; and they called () him Zacharias , after the name of his father .
[60] And his mother answered () and said (), Not [so]; but he shall be called () John .
[61] And they said () unto her , There is () none of thy kindred that is called () by this name .
[62] And they made signs () to his father , how he would have () him called ().
[63] And he asked for () a writing table , and wrote (), saying (), His name is () John . And they marvelled () all .
[64] And his mouth was opened () immediately , and his tongue [loosed], and he spake (), and praised () God .
[65] And fear came () on all that dwelt round about () them : and all these sayings were noised abroad () throughout all the hill country of Judaea .
[66] And all they that heard () [them] laid [them] up () in their hearts , saying (), What manner of child shall this be ()! And the hand of the Lord was () with him .
[67] And his father Zacharias was filled () with the Holy Ghost , and prophesied (), saying (),
[68] Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel ; for he hath visited () and redeemed his people (),
[69] And hath raised up () an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David ;
[70] As he spake () by the mouth of his holy prophets , which have been since the world began :
[71] That we should be saved from our enemies , and from the hand of all that hate () us ;
[72] To perform () the mercy [promised] to our fathers , and to remember () his holy covenant ;
[73] The oath which he sware () to our father Abraham ,
[74] That he would grant () unto us , that we being delivered () out of the hand of our enemies might serve () him without fear ,
[75] In holiness and righteousness before him , all the days of our life .
[76] And thou , child , shalt be called () the prophet of the Highest : for thou shalt go () before the face of the Lord to prepare () his ways ;
[77] To give () knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins ,
[78] Through the tender mercy of our God ; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited () us ,
[79] To give light () to them that sit () in darkness and [in] the shadow of death , to guide () our feet into the way of peace .
[80] And the child grew (), and waxed strong () in spirit , and was () in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel .

Young’s Literal Translation

Luke 1 (YLT)

[1] Seeing that many did take in hand to set in order a narration of the matters that have been fully assured among us,
[2] as they did deliver to us, who from the beginning became eye-witnesses, and officers of the Word,-
[3] it seemed good also to me, having followed from the first after all things exactly, to write to thee in order, most noble Theophilus,
[4] that thou mayest know the certainty of the things wherein thou wast instructed.
[5] There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest, by name Zacharias, of the course of Abijah, and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elisabeth;
[6] and they were both righteous before God, going on in all the commands and righteousnesses of the Lord blameless,
[7] and they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their days.
[8] And it came to pass, in his acting as priest, in the order of his course before God,
[9] according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot was to make perfume, having gone into the sanctuary of the Lord,
[10] and all the multitude of the people were praying without, at the hour of the perfume.
[11] And there appeared to him a messenger of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of the perfume,
[12] and Zacharias, having seen, was troubled, and fear fell on him;
[13] and the messenger said unto him, ‘Fear not, Zacharias, for thy supplication was heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear a son to thee, and thou shalt call his name John,
[14] and there shall be joy to thee, and gladness, and many at his birth shall joy,
[15] for he shall be great before the Lord, and wine and strong drink he may not drink, and of the Holy Spirit he shall be full, even from his mother’s womb;
[16] and many of the sons of Israel he shall turn to the Lord their God,
[17] and he shall go before Him, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn hearts of fathers unto children, and disobedient ones to the wisdom of righteous ones, to make ready for the Lord, a people prepared.’
[18] And Zacharias said unto the messenger, ‘Whereby shall I know this? for I am aged, and my wife is advanced in her days?’
[19] And the messenger answering said to him, ‘I am Gabriel, who have been standing near before God, and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to proclaim these good news to thee,
[20] and lo, thou shalt be silent, and not able to speak, till the day that these things shall come to pass, because thou didst not believe my words, that shall be fulfilled in their season.’
[21] And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and wondering at his tarrying in the sanctuary,
[22] and having come out, he was not able to speak to them, and they perceived that a vision he had seen in the sanctuary, and he was beckoning to them, and did remain dumb.
[23] And it came to pass, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he went away to his house,
[24] and after those days, his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying-
[25] ‘Thus hath the Lord done to me, in days in which He looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men.’
[26] And in the sixth month was the messenger Gabriel sent by God, to a city of Galilee, the name of which is Nazareth,
[27] to a virgin, betrothed to a man, whose name is Joseph, of the house of David, and the name of the virgin is Mary.
[28] And the messenger having come in unto her, said, ‘Hail, favoured one, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women;’
[29] and she, having seen, was troubled at his word, and was reasoning of what kind this salutation may be.
[30] And the messenger said to her, ‘Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God;
[31] and lo, thou shalt conceive in the womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and call his name Jesus;
[32] he shall be great, and Son of the Highest he shall be called, and the Lord God shall give him the throne of David his father,
[33] and he shall reign over the house of Jacob to the ages; and of his reign there shall be no end.’
[34] And Mary said unto the messenger, ‘How shall this be, seeing a husband I do not know?’
[35] And the messenger answering said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, therefore also the holy-begotten thing shall be called Son of God;
[36] and lo, Elisabeth, thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month to her who was called barren;
[37] because nothing shall be impossible with God.’
[38] And Mary said, ‘Lo, the maid-servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to thy saying,’ and the messenger went away from her.
[39] And Mary having arisen in those days, went to the hill-country, with haste, to a city of Judea,
[40] and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
[41] And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe did leap in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
[42] and spake out with a loud voice, and said, ‘Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb;
[43] and whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord might come unto me?
[44] for, lo, when the voice of thy salutation came to my ears, leap in gladness did the babe in my womb;
[45] and happy is she who did believe, for there shall be a completion to the things spoken to her from the Lord.’
[46] And Mary said, ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord,
[47] And my spirit was glad on God my Saviour,
[48] Because He looked on the lowliness of His maid-servant, For, lo, henceforth call me happy shall all the generations,
[49] For He who is mighty did to me great things, And holy is His name,
[50] And His kindness is to generations of generations, To those fearing Him,
[51] He did powerfully with His arm, He scattered abroad the proud in the thought of their heart,
[52] He brought down the mighty from thrones, And He exalted the lowly,
[53] The hungry He did fill with good, And the rich He sent away empty,
[54] He received again Israel His servant, To remember kindness,
[55] As He spake unto our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed-to the age.’
[56] And Mary remained with her about three months, and turned back to her house.
[57] And to Elisabeth was the time fulfilled for her bringing forth, and she bare a son,
[58] and the neighbours and her kindred heard that the Lord was making His kindness great with her, and they were rejoicing with her.
[59] And it came to pass, on the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child, and they were calling him by the name of his father, Zacharias,
[60] and his mother answering said, ‘No, but he shall be called John.’
[61] And they said unto her-‘There is none among thy kindred who is called by this name,’
[62] and they were making signs to his father, what he would wish him to be called,
[63] and having asked for a tablet, he wrote, saying, ‘John is his name;’ and they did all wonder;
[64] and his mouth was opened presently, and his tongue, and he was speaking, praising God.
[65] And fear came upon all those dwelling around them, and in all the hill-country of Judea were all these sayings spoken of,
[66] and all who heard did lay them up in their hearts, saying, ‘What then shall this child be?’ and the hand of the Lord was with him.
[67] And Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and did prophesy, saying,
[68] ‘Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, Because He did look upon, And wrought redemption for His people,
[69] And did raise an horn of salvation to us, In the house of David His servant,
[70] As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, Which have been from the age;
[71] Salvation from our enemies, And out of the hand of all hating us,
[72] To do kindness with our fathers, And to be mindful of His holy covenant,
[73] An oath that He sware to Abraham our father,
[74] To give to us, without fear, Out of the hand of our enemies having been delivered,
[75] To serve Him, in holiness and righteousness Before Him, all the days of our life.
[76] And thou, child, Prophet of the Highest Shalt thou be called; For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, To prepare His ways.
[77] To give knowledge of salvation to His people In remission of their sins,
[78] Through the tender mercies of our God, In which the rising from on high did look upon us,
[79] To give light to those sitting in darkness and death-shade, To guide our feet to a way of peace.’
[80] And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit, and he was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.